Homemade bath salts with essential oils: I love this basic recipe! Homemade bath salts make a great gift (think large mason jar with a ribbon), they help you reach your relaxation setting quickly, soothe the body and mind and replace important minerals we often lose due to stress. Put your own spin on it using a variety of essential oils. I made this last Christmas for family members and used a combination of different oils I thought each person could use most – so it was highly personalized. If you’re not familiar with essential oils, start with lavender. It’s easy to find at your health food store or online, is affordable and has a wide range of benefits (see below).

4 cups Epsom salts

2 cups coarse sea salt

½ tsp. peppermint oil

½ tsp. lavender essential oil

½ tsp. eucalyptus essential oil

Mix up salts in a double lined baggie, Tupperware container or large Mason jar, blend in oils using a wooden spoon. Dissolve 1-2 cups in your bath and have a soak. This mix is pretty strong when it first hits your nose but does mellow out as you get your soak on.

Health and Beauty Benefits:

Epsom and sea salts: Using Epsom and sea salts in a bathwater creates a process of reverse osmosis – pulling harmful toxins out of the body while allowing magnesium and sulfates into the body. (Magnesium helps improve muscle and nerve function, reduces inflammation and improves blood flow and oxygenation. Sulfates are necessary building blocks for healthy joints, skin and tissue.)

Lavender essential oil helps the body both relax and can also boost stamina and energy. It’s highly regarded for its properties that enhance the complexion. Lavender is an adaptogen so it can help the body rebalance itself when exposed to stress and harmful factors.